CITY OF NEW HAVEN ANNOUNCES NEW HEALTH DIRECTOR

(8/16/2010) NEW HAVEN- Dr. Mario Garcia, a trained physician with over 20 years of experience in the practice of public health, has been appointed to the position of Director of Health for the City of New Haven.

Garcia joins the Health Department after seven years of service as manager of public health preparedness and chronic disease related programs in the State Department of Public Health. In that capacity, Garcia took a leading role in interagency efforts to reverse current trends in obesity and promote the expansion of nutrition and physical activity interventions among priority groups.

“This is an exciting time for me to join the Department of Health as children and families are getting ready for the new school year,” said Garcia. “I am encouraged by this opportunity to remind families and school administrators that incorporating healthy routines in diets and daily activities is the smartest investment in our future and the future of our children.”

Prior to his work at the State of Connecticut, Garcia worked in various independent consultancies related to health care systems reform outside of the United States. He also served for several years as Director of Medical Humanitarian Projects with the international organization Doctors Without Borders. His experience ranged from delivering humanitarian aid to expanding primary care services in several under-resourced countries.

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“Dr. Garcia’s expertise and interest in issues that impact many New Haven families will help us better educate our residents and become a healthier City,” said Mayor John DeStefano, Jr.

Garcia is a founding Board member of Dignitas International, a Canadian-based medical humanitarian organization providing AIDS treatment and counseling to over ten thousand patients in southern Africa.

In addition to his MD, Garcia holds a Masters in Community Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Masters in Pubic Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Administration from Yale University.

“I am pleased and excited to have Dr. Garcia leading the Health Department. His enthusiasm and dedication to public health and his love for New Haven is a welcome asset to our city and our residents,” said Dr. Chisara Asomugha, Community Services Administrator for the City of New Haven.

Garcia lives in New Haven with his wife Hilary and two children Juan Sebastian and Juliana.